2008 - The Alberta Library

Grants
Special Project Grants
The APLEN Standing Committee carried forward funding from
2006 to support two projects (RISE and Bibliocommons).
Both projects had been approved in principle, but the
Committee requested additional information for the RISE
application. For Bibliocommons, the delay was due to
development of the user agreement and some technical
challenges faced by the developer. Both projects received
funding in 2008, and updates have been provided at regular
intervals to the APLEN Standing Committee.
Local Library Participation Grants
The “Local Library Participation Grant” had been structured
by the APLEN Standing Committee to provide financial
support to those libraries ready to connect into the
resource-sharing network in Alberta. These are libraries that
had not received any prior funding from APLEN. The amount
is capped at $5000 per site.
In 2008, five libraries received funding under this program,
for a total expenditure of $25,000. The funds were used to
purchase high-end technical communications equipment,
additional workstations and associated software, networking
equipment and licenses for the Integrated Library System
(ILS). Libraries that received the grant in 2008 were:
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Calling Lake Public Library
Bibliotheque St. Isidore Library
Edmonton Public Library – Lois Hole Branch
Irma Municipal Library
Wembley Public Library
Community Access Program
The Community Access Program (CAP) is a national initiative
through Industry Canada. The goal of the program is to
provide affordable access to the Internet and electronic
resources, and to encourage Canadians to become Internet
literate. CAP funds help Canadians seek employment,
conduct research, stay in touch with friends and family,
develop their computer skills and more through their public
library by providing Internet access along with the computer
support and training to use it effectively.
CAP computers are available to all members of the
public — many computers are equipped with accessibility
software or adaptive hardware to allow people with different
needs to access electronic resources. For example, in
different sites the public might find computers equipped
with screen reader software, touch screen monitors, or mice
and joysticks that help people with mobility issues.
The Alberta Library is in the process of completing the final
reports for the 2008-09 Community Access Program grant
from Industry Canada. On behalf of 289 public libraries
in the province, we received a grant in the amount of
$478,697. TAL works in collaboration with the Nodes to
deliver these funds to the libraries who participate in
the program.
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alberta public library electronic network
2008 annual report